How to Declutter Before Moving

By: Samantha and Emilio - KW Professional Organizers

We want you to have a stress- and anxiety-free move. Here are the TOP SIX benefits for why you should declutter before moving homes:

* Getting rid of the clutter will allow you to relax and feel great!
* The Home Staging process will be faster and more effective.
* Your home will look inviting and it will attract more buyers.
* Save time, energy and $$ by not moving unnecessary items.
* Less time spent unpacking in your new home; arranging only the items you love.
* Sell and/or Auction Unwanted items to get $$ back.

DECLUTTER IN 14 STEPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR SALE AND MAKE YOUR MOVE SEAMLESS.

1. WHAT’S YOUR WHY? What do you want? Why do you want it? How are these goals going to make your life better?

2. CAN YOU PICTURE IT? Visualize your ideal space. What does it look like? How do you feel when you are there? Having a clear vision in your mind that motivates you will make the process of decluttering and moving way easier. You will also have a better understanding for what items to take with you and what to leave behind. What kind of activities would you like to do in the new space? Make sure to set up the spaces according to your needs.

HELPFUL TIP: Are you moving into a smaller space? Having detailed measurements of every room can help you decide if an item will fit in the space or not. Measure and play with the layout before you move in.

3. PICKING A SPACE TO START. What is your first priority? What space can you benefit the most from? It’s very powerful to be able to start and finish one area. You will be able to experience a functional and inviting space. This will empower you to keep going with other areas.

4. ACCEPT HELP. Yes, it is true. Getting help makes the decluttering process much faster and more fun! Having someone else will help you feel supported, give you extra hands, help you keep the motivation going and keep you accountable.

5. SCHEDULE THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME. Be realistic. This is a tough one. It will depend on how fast you make decisions, how much help you have, and how many items there are in the space. Don’t try to do it all at once. Take whatever you estimated and add 2 more hours ;)

6. TAKE BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS. Pictures are not just for professionals to build their portfolios. Taking photographs will help you see your accomplishment and will be motivation you for future sessions.
“When you understand what drives you, what truly motivates you, you are then able to create an environment that facilitates your goals. It frees up space so the new you can step in. There is purpose in how you live.” - Lanna Nakone, Organizing for Your Brain Type.

7. SET UP A STATION. If possible set up a folding table in the space you are working. Only deal with the items on the table. Keep focused and use a timer if you need to. Under the table, have a few bins (donation, recycling, garbage, shredding, belongs in another space, to give to someone, to sell). Every situation will require some or all of these bins. If you have clear space in the room or close by in another room you can make piles there.

8. THE ‘WAVE’ PROCESS. Start on one side of the room and do a “wave” touching every item in the space: Do I need this item? Is it going to help me achieve my goals? Put the item in the proper pile. If you are unsure make a pile of unsure items and go back to it later.
HELPFUL TIP: Taking a photo of an item can help you keep the memory of it without having the physical item. Keep working with the items you know for sure what to do with them.

9. MESSIER BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. Don’t panic. Things will look messier during the beginning of this process. Allowing time to clean up and place things where they belong at the end of the session is very important.

10. GIVE EVERYTHING A ‘HOME’ Every item that stays in the space needs a permanent spot. No excuses.

11. KEEP A TO-DO LIST. As you sort through your items write down every task that comes to mind as you work. It will help you get things done and make smarter decisions. At the end of the session make sure to schedule all the tasks in your calendar.

12. UNWANTED ITEMS. If you know for sure there will be a lot of unwanted items to go for donation, auction, consignment, and/or recycling make sure to arrange for transportation.

13. STORING ITEMS FOR SOMEONE ELSE. Give them a deadline and make sure they are gone before the end of the session. Move them to another space if that’s an option. They need to understand that you are dealing with clutter and working really hard to get your space back. Their stuff is not helping you accomplish your goal.

14. PAPER. Dealing with paper can take a very long time and you won’t see immediate visual results. We recommend putting the paper aside and deal with it in a future session when you have a clear space to tackle it. If you are dealing with paper you may benefit from reading Tips to win the constant battle against paper clutter.

REAL CLIENT EXAMPLES:

ART STUDIO TRANSFORMATION

CREATING A STARTING POINT

OFFICE ORGANIZING

FINAL NOTE

Decluttering your home will allow you to make the process of selling your home and moving seamless.

It will also allow you to get a fresh start. It’s a new chapter in your life and you can decide what that chapter includes.

Don’t want to tackle decluttering on your own? We love working with KW Professional Organizers. Call them today at 226-606-3233!

10 Low Budget Home Staging Hacks to Use in Everyday Life

Our home staging clients often tell us how much they wish that they had brought us in sooner, before they decided to sell the house, so that they could have enjoyed some of the changes that we made! They especially love seeing some of our home staging tricks and hacks first hand, so we’ve decided to share some of our favourites with you! You can put these low-cost ideas to use in your home, regardless of whether or not you are selling.

1. Use baskets to hide cables
It’s not a fancy trick, but it can be incredibly effective. Hide routers, cables, and other messes using baskets. NOTE: some items (such as routers) need room to vent, so be sure to account for and allow for this.

Consider adding a shelf under your desk to get the cords and cables off of the floor.

2. Zip tie your lamp cords (and other electronics)
In staging, there is nothing worse than seeing a long dangling cord behind a table. By zip-tying these, they can be cleaned up and out of site. Wind up extra slack in the cable or cord not needed and tie. You can bundle the cord close to the table top and tie, or tie the cord to the table leg at the top and bottom, and bundle the cord at the base. It’s easy for cables and chargers to become a bit of a mess as well. Group your office or tv cables together and zip tie in a few spots to keep them from getting tangled. It’s also a great idea to label your cords (close to the plug) so that you can easily unplug one when you need to without needing to do serious detective work to find the right one to disconnect. There are a variety of cord labelling systems available for sale, but it doesn’t need to be fancy - you can these create with any labels or tape that you have in your household already.

3. Use painters tape or masking tape to hang art on plaster walls
This will prevent the wall from splitting when you puncture it with the nail. Simply place a small piece of tape (approximately ½”) where you want to hang the nail before hammering.

4. Disguise your everyday products
Hat boxes are an attractive way to hide your everyday toiletries, and come in sizes large enough to fit your lotions and sprays easily!

5. Freshen your furniture with touch-up markers
While it’s not the most glamorous fix, this is a trick that is often used in home staging, and works great for giving furniture a quick touch-up from nicks and scratches. When you’re selling your home, even though you are not likely selling your furnishings, showing care of these items will help to show pride of ownership in your home.

6. Get rid of your fireplace's brass trim
One of the biggest things that can show a fireplace’s age is a brass trim! Pick up some black barbeque paint and cover the brass for an instant update!

7. Fix outdated backsplashes
Have an out-dated backsplash but can’t afford to replace it? Painting it will give it a fresh new look! This is intended as a temporary solution, but with the right paint, it can last for a few years. Not recommended for floor tiles.

8. Yes, you can paint brick!
Paint brick to give an instant update, whether on the interior or exterior of your house. Again, you’ll want to ensure that you are using a paint designed for this type of surface; you’ll be amazed by the finish.

9. Need a table runner? 
Create a “make-shift” table runner from an old drape with a few tucks and folds (if you don’t intend to use the drape again, you may wish to cut it and add some hem tape to create a proper seam).

10. Get a custom closet for less!
Hang all similar colours together with matching hangers and add baskets to your shelves. Use space saving hangers for best results – your closet will look and feel much more organized and spacious!

Contact Beyond The Stage Homes today to find out how to get your property sold!

Phone: +1 (226) 240-0766
Email: info@btshomes.com
www.beyondthestagehomes.com 

Storage Solutions - BTSH Around The House Tip of the Week

I continually hear people say “I wish I could be as organized as you!”. I am always looking for ways to better organize my own home, and make things easier to find and access. I’m a firm believer in having everyday things at my fingertips. The first step in organizing is to sort through the areas of clutter and arrange a system. Categorize the items by what needs to stay where it is (but in an organized way of course), what is truly junk and can be tossed, and what is worth keeping, but is in the wrong place. Once you’ve done this, start with the “wrong place” items, and put them in the correct place immediately. Next, conquer the clutter and organize the items that are going to stay put.

Small Solutions
Jewellery trays—these don’t have to be your traditional silver trays, but can be a vintage ceramic plate or bowl. I keep one in every bedroom in my house, so that guests have a safe place to put their jewellery, watches, and other tokens.
Store remote controls in a decorative dish or basket (one with dividers is ever better!). This could also be a good place to keep a pen and paper handy.
Use small clear containers or reseal-able bags to store small items such as paper clips, hair elastics, travel shampoos, etc. By using a clear container, it will be easy to find, and keeps all like items together. I have a large collection of craft items and find that this is the best way to keep all my thingamajigs and doohickies organized.

Kitchen Storage
Perhaps the room that simply never seems to be big enough, or have enough storage space! When doing staging projects, one of the first things that I always suggest to homeowners is to clear off the kitchen counters. From a resale point of view, buyers want to see the counter space available, so you don’t want to hide it. The problem? Homeowners shriek at the thought of having to find room in their cupboards for the items that are sitting on the counter! As a first step, I always recommend looking at what is on the counter, and see what is used several times a week. For items that are not used as often, consider how important it is to the kitchen, and whether it can be stored in another storage area (such as a crawl space, closet, or even the garage), or whether it can be tossed altogether.

A Few More Kitchen Tips
Add drawer dividers to keep even your junk drawer organized
Use clear, stackable containers to store flour, sugar, rice, etc in your cupboards
Make use of the empty space above the fridge—place baskets or storage boxes to keep it looking clean and organized, and store takeout menus, recipes, and special occasion dishware.

I Know I Said To “Toss” It, But Please Don’t Throw It Out
Since this article touches so much on “tossing” unnecessary items, which may not be the most environmentally friendly approach, consider donating to a salvage store, or selling through a local classified paper or online site. The latest in re-using is “Freecycle”, which allows only free items to be posted in an effort to keep them out of landfills. Search online to find a site for your region.

Written by Shauna Lynn, Beyond The Stage Homes
www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Make A Big Statement In A Small Space - BTSH Around The House Tip of the Week

Whether you’re a student trying to make the most of your small apartment on a budget, or living in a metropolis filled with high-cost low on space living accommodations, there are ways to maximize your space. I have put together some tips for selecting the right furniture and colours, as well as managing your storage.

Furniture
Choosing the right furniture is definitely key in maximizing your space. You can gain space by simply choosing smaller, but still functional furniture. For example, consider an armless couch. While you’ll still have the same space for sitting, you won’t need to take up extra room with the arms. Plus, the couch looks less bulky, and helps to open the space. Downsize your end tables. You may also consider nesting tables as an alternative, and eliminate the coffee table. The smaller nesting tables can be pulled out as needed for entertaining guests. Another alternative to the coffee table is the storage ottoman. This helps to increase your storage space, and many come with a reversible lid that can be used as an extra seat for a guest on one side, and a tray table on the reverse side. Multi-functional furniture is key in small space living, whether it’s a desk that looks like a wardrobe and can close up out of site, or a couch that turns into a bed. While you may not have room for a lot of furniture, be sure to make the most of what you do have.

Storage
Make use of your space from floor to ceiling. Owning the property will allow you more flexibility in this, but there are solutions if you’re renting that can be temporary as well. Removing closet doors will help to open up the space, making it easier to manoeuvre, and much less inhibiting. A closet organizer will help to maximize the space, as well as keep it functional and of course, organized. If you can’t install a custom closet, make use of stackable storage bins, and clearly label. Pack away clothes that are out of season, and purge regularly. If you own, consider adding built-ins in the living room to help with media storage, and other miscellaneous storage. Open up a kitchen by replacing the panels in the cabinet doors with frosted or clear glass. This will also force you to keep the cupboards organized. The number one rule when working in a small space is to remember a place for everything, and everything in it’s place. It is cliché, but it works.

Colours
Choosing the right colours for your small space can be a challenge. In order to avoid crowding a space with colour, try to avoid using more than 3 colours in any given room. If you’re renting, you’re likely allowed to paint, but will need to return the walls to neutral before moving out. To save yourself some work, go ahead and start with a nice neutral shade, and spruce it up with accent colours in an area rug, throws, cushions, and other accessories. If you own, go ahead and paint what you want, but keep to the lighter shades and avoid dark colours. To make a small room look bigger, paint the ceiling a shade lighter than the walls. For some great colour ideas, check out last week’s article on colour trends for 2010.


Written by Shauna Lynn, Beyond The Stage Homes
www.beyondthestagehomes.com

Make your own decorative storage boxes! - BTSH Around The House Tip of the Week

Every home décor line seems to have their own version of a decorative storage box. You know the ones. These are those handy boxes that look beautiful on your shelves, and hide all of your clutter!! These boxes can be pricey, and you have a limited selection of designs. So, why not make these yourself? This is a great rainy day project!

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED:
Shoe Box
Wrapping Paper
Tape
Pencil
Ruler

The best shoe boxes are the ones that have a slightly loose fitting lid. Remember, once you cover both the lid and base in a layer of wrapping paper, the lid will fit tighter. Also be sure to choose a good quality wrapping paper. Keep your home décor in mind when choosing the paper design.

To start, center the box on the wrapping paper and trace. Next, measure each side of the box, add approximately 1 inch to each measurement, and draw your outline around the traced box, similar to Diagram A, and cut. Repeat the same steps for the lid, only adding about a 1/2 inch to each side. Next, cut and fold the paper according to Diagram A, wrap paper over each side of the box, and secure with tape. Be sure to use a strong scotch tape, or even packing tape. Tape ALL edges. Repeat for the lid.



These multi-purpose decorative boxes can now be used anywhere in the house. Label the boxes by printing a description, or a picture, of the contents on photo paper, cut to size, and use photograph corners to secure to box. TIP: Photo paper and corners are both sold at most dollar stores!

Your original boxes will stand out, and your clutter won’t. All for the price of a roll of wrapping paper (and maybe the shoes that originally came in the box).

Written by Shauna Lynn Simon, Beyond The Stage Homes